Boys lacrosse: Players to watch

Deemer Class

Loyola, midfielder, senior

On top of his fine athleticism and stick skills, the All-Metro second-team selection has an impeccable understanding of the game that puts him in all the right positions to succeed as the Dons' catalyst. Headed for Duke, Class finished with 32 goals and 25 assists as a junior.

Ben Chisolm

South River, attackman, junior

With quick feet and an equally quick release, Chisolm scored 37 goals last year, including six in the state title game. Well aware of the extra attention he draws, the Maryland commitment also is an effective distributor; he had 25 assists last season.

Ted Demiris

Hereford, midfielder, senior

Hard-working and tenacious, Demiris can dominate on faceoffs and shut down top attackmen. The Navy-bound Demiris won 71percent of the faceoffs he took last season, including 18 of 23 in the Bulls' 14-7 win over Middletown in the Class 3A-2A title game.

Zack Esser

Fallston, defenseman, senior

A four-year starter, Esser is a dominating force with the long stick, possessing fine stick skills, smart positioning and gifted footwork. Set to play at UMBC, the Cougars' captain has scooped up 189 ground balls in his 48career games and also can effectively face off with the long pole when called on.

Robby Haus

Gilman, defenseman, senior

One of the area's top one-on-one cover defenders, the Ohio State-bound Haus is an anchor in the back. Regularly assigned to the opposition's top attackman, the three-year starter and All-Metro first-team pick from 2011 is fast to ground balls (37 last year) and ignites the team's transition game.

Carson Kalama

Bel Air, attackman, junior

Dynamic and sturdy, Kalama, now in his third year of varsity, can score a nifty goal one minute and dirty the uniform to win a ground ball the next. His tireless approach sets the tone for the Bobcats' attack, and it paid big dividends last season as he finished with 45goals, 39 assists and 94 ground balls.

Patrick Kelly

Calvert Hall, attackman, senior

A three-year starter and 2011 All-Metro first-team selection, Kelly brings elite skills, smart decisions and toughness to the Cardinals' dangerous attack. Always heavily marked by the opposition, Kelly is keenly aware of whether to create his own scoring chances or set up teammates. Set to play at North Carolina, he finished last season with 43 goals and 36 assists.

Stephen Kelly

Calvert Hall, midfielder, junior

The area's most complete player, Kelly affects the game many different ways. Last season, he won 237 of 319 faceoffs (74 percent) and added 21 goals, 15 assists and 184 ground balls, earning All-Metro first-team honors. The North Carolina-bound Kelly is the youngest player selected to play for the U.S. Under-19 team at this summer's world championships in Finland.

Spencer Parks

St. Paul's, midfielder, senior

A three-year starter and captain, Parks is a strong dodger and dynamic playmaker whom the Crusaders will count on heavily this season. Headed to North Carolina, he finished with 37 goals and 17 assists last year to earn All-Metro second-team honors and bring his career totals to 61 and 24, respectively.

Nick Wynne

Glenelg, attackman, senior

Extremely quick and elusive with a rocket shot, the Towson-bound Wynne can score from anywhere and is equally adept at setting up teammates. In leading the Gladiators to the Class 2A-1A state title last year, the All-Metro first-team selection totaled 63goals and 47 assists to give him 105 and 67, respectively, in his first two varsity seasons.